Story Highlights

HOW THEY WON: As expected, UConn-Indiana was thrilling from start to finish. The largest lead of the game was a 7-point Huskies lead, which came early in the second half before quickly evaporating. The lead changed on nearly every possession in the game's final minutes. Both point guards – Uconn's Shabazz Napier and Indiana's Yogi Ferrell – were sensational throughout the game, matching each other big play for big play in the second half. Napier scored 27 points on the night, and Ferrell had 19. Everyone in the Garden Friday night knew one thing: the game would come down to one of the two.

Napier scored his final basket – a layup – with 1:35 left to put UConn up 59-58. Each team came up empty on its next possessions – and then, with 22.4 seconds left, Napier was whistled for an offensive foul. Indiana got the ball, down one with the shot clock turned off. Ferrell ended up taking a step-back jumper with about five seconds remaining, and it clanged off the rim. Players scrambled for the rebound, and Indiana came up with it. The Hoosiers had one last chance to win it, but Noah Vonleh couldn't get the shot off in time. UConn left with the one-point win, and UConn coach Kevin Ollie was pretty happy about it afterwards.

STAR WATCH: UConn point guard Shabazz Napier is must-see TV. He's quickly becoming one of the most entertaining (and talented) players in the nation. It's not just that he can knock down threes at the snap of your finger, or that he's going to break some ankles. It's the whole package – his passing and rebounding ability are right up there with the best, too. With the game on the line, UConn didn't even pretend that it wanted to put the ball in anyone else's hands. The Huskies will live and die with Napier, and so far he's led them to a sparkling 6-0 record.Napier said after Friday's game he knows when his teammates look to him to step up; he sees it in their eyes. "I just go off the flow," he said. "My teammates give me the chance to do so."

WHAT THIS MEANS IN A NUTSHELL: Few things are better than a close basketball game at the Garden, no matter what time of year it is. And truly, this one felt more like March than November. Maybe it was the crazy crowd or the superb guard play, but either way, everyone in the building knew it was a BIG game for both teams. Indiana was trying to pick up a resume-boosting win and prove that its rebuilding project was ahead of schedule. But UConn had other ideas. The Huskies have won a bunch of nailbiters this season, and that experience paid off in a back-and-forth game against a Top 25 team in Indiana. I've said this before, but I think UConn has the talent to make a deep March run. This was the first step toward that. Indiana coach Tom Crean said after Friday's game that he believes the Hoosiers played "one of the best teams in the country."

TWEET THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES: Napier has admitted that last season he sometimes felt like he had to be a one-man show, ala Kemba Walker a few seasons ago. Looks like he's not the only one noticing similarities.

Big win for UConn and Kevin Ollie. Shabazz Napier auditioning for role of @KembaWalker

AND-1: Indiana freshman sensation Noah Vonleh, a 6-10 forward spent most of the game on the bench in foul trouble, was held scoreless for the first time of his young career. He also grabbed just two rebounds in the game – and turned the ball over four times.

Brigham Young Cougars guard Kyle Collinsworth (5) lays on the floor after missing the last second shot of the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Marriott Center.
Chris Nicoll, USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Markel Brown (22) is fouled by Memphis Tigers forward Shaq Goodwin (2) on the way to the basket during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Oklahoma State won 101-80.
Alonzo Adams, USA TODAY Sports